Transmembrane Receptors and Channels - Biomembranes. A Multi-Volume Treatise

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.; Volume 6 of Biomembranes covers transmembrane receptors and channels. A particularly important role for the membrane is that of passing messages between a cell and its environment. Part I of this volume covers receptors for hormones and growth factors. Here, as in so many other areas of cell biology, the application of the methods of molecular biology have led to the recognition of a number of families of receptors. Typically, such receptors contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular catalytic domain whose activation, as a result of ligand binding, leads to generation of second messengers within the cell and stimulation of a range of cytosolic enzymes. An alternative signaling strategy, exploited in particular in the nervous system, is to use ion channels to allow controlled movement of monovalent (Na+, K+) or divalent (Ca2+) cations in or out of the cell, resulting in changes in membrane potential or alterations in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Part II of this volume is concerned with these ion channels and with other, often simpler, ion channel systems whose study can throw light on channel mechanism.; Description based on print version record.; EBSCO complete collection.

Contributor Bio:  Lee, Jenny Darrien Lee, a graduate of Tennessee State University, is a two-time "Essence" bestselling author with four published works with Strebor Books. She has been featured in several periodicals, including "Romantic Times" magazine and the N"ashville Tennessean." She lives in LaVergne, Tennessee, with her husband and two daughters. Visit www.darrienlee.comContributor Bio:  Lee, Jenny Jenny Lee is a writer and producer on the TBS sitcom Ground Floor. She was also a writer and producer of the Disney Channel's number-one-rated kids' show Shake It Up for all three seasons and is the author of four humor essay books. Elvis and the Underdogs was Jenny's first book for children. She lives in Los Angeles with her 110-pound Newfoundland, Doozy (and yes, it's a toss-up as to who's walking whom every day).